More Than 6 In 10 Northern Ireland People Support A Smoking Ban In Public Places

61% of people surveyed in a recent Millward Brown Ulster poll believe that smoking should be banned in pubs in Northern Ireland. This figure rose to 73% when respondents were asked if they thought that smoking should be banned in workplaces in Northern Ireland. 1021 adults aged 16 and over were interviewed making up a representative sample of the Northern Ireland population. The survey was conducted during the period 8 - 17 September 2004.

More smokers were in favour of a ban of smoking in workplaces than in pubs with 47% of smokers in favour of a ban in workplaces compared to 25% in favour of a similar ban in pubs. Of those surveyed, smokers made up 34% of the sample and non-smokers 66%. The incidence of daily smoking was marginally higher amongst men (at 37%) than women (33%).

Smokers in Northern Ireland tend to be younger members of the population with 40% of 16 - 24 year olds and 46% of 25 - 34 year olds smoking tobacco at least once a day. This figure decreased to 36% of 35 - 49 year olds, 32% of 50 - 64 year olds and 14% of those aged 65 and over.

These figures for smokers in Northern Ireland compare to levels of 51% in Bulgaria (one of the highest levels of smoking in the world), 9% in India (one of the lowest levels in the world) and 24.6% in Sweden according to TGI.

These figures come at a time when the Scottish Executive has today decided to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces in Scotland. The Scottish ban was unanimously supported by all Scottish ministers. However, according to the Tobacco Manufacturers. Association the Scottish public are split 50-50 as to their support for the smoking ban.

A smoking ban in work places has been in place in the Republic of Ireland since March 2004. Norway introduced a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants in June 2004. A similar smoking ban will be introduced in New Zealand in December 2004 and smoking bans are also in place in parts of the USA.

Since the ban has been introduced in the Republic of Ireland 7000 people have stopped smoking and tobacco sales have fallen by 16% according to the Scottish Executive Deputy Health Minister Rhona Brankin.

Doctors and anti-tobacco groups have been vocal in their support for smoking bans in public places. The British Medical Association has released a stark report chronicling individual stories behind the statistics of passive smoking. Their report, 'The Human Cost of Tobacco' reveals that one person dies every two weeks here from inhaling other peoples' tobacco smoke. At least 500 doctors have written to the Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, via the British Medical Association, calling on him to introduce legislation for smoke-free workplaces.

The Health Promotion Agency revealed in September 2004 that 10 000 calls had been made to their smoker's helpline in the year since it had been set up. The HPA recently launched a hard-hitting public information campaign tackling the subject of passive smoking.

More information can be obtained by contacting Kathryn Woods.